# Administrative Supplement for Upgrading the University of Pittsburgh Regional Biocontainment Laboratory within The Center for Vaccine Research

> **NIH NIH G20** · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · 2022 · $3,329,737

## Abstract

ABSTRACT:
The Center for Vaccine Research (CVR) investigators conduct research on BSL-3 Category A, B, and C priority
pathogens that have an impact on the health of people around the world. This is facilitated by the integral NIAID
supported Regional Biocontainment Laboratory (RBL) which provides biosafety level (BSL)-2 and animal
(A)BSL-3 capabilities. CVR is the hub for infection biology at the University of Pittsburgh bringing together
virologists, bacteriologists, biochemists, structural biologists and clinicians from a variety of disciplines who have
a common goal of investigating the evolution and pathogenesis of emerging infectious diseases and biodefense
pathogens. The center enables the acceleration of pre-clinical development of novel interventions such as
vaccines, therapeutic antibodies and nanobodies, small molecule inhibitors and diagnostics for viruses and other
infectious agents. In 2021 CVR received a $3.3 million award to support fixed and non-fixed equipment upgrades
within the RBL (G20AI167405). In this supplement to the parent, we focus on addressing scientific deficits and
concentrate on the lack of flexible ABSL-3 space, small animal bioimaging capabilities and revitalizing core,
shared equipment. Multimodal bioimaging capabilities are integral elements in understanding how pathogens
infect cells, tissues and animals in four-dimensions. In this supplement we will expand our bioimaging
capabilities to small and medium sized animals to augment our active large animal programs. These upgrades
will be integrated into the current G20 parent project making it very cost effective in terms of recommissioning
the facility. This ensure the supplement is fully within the scope of the parental award. This will ensure the
University of Pittsburgh RBL remains fit-for-purpose and emerging infectious disease response-ready for another
fifteen years. The facility is considered essential research infrastructure by the University of Pittsburgh, for the
region, the state and nation. CVR staff have made major contributions to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic by
leveraging their significant experience working on pathogens with pandemic potential in biocontainment.
Maintaining well trained, response ready cohorts of infection biologists across nation is vitally important as
pathogens will continue to emerge. This makes pandemic preparedness an essential element of the national
research portfolio.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10631339
- **Project number:** 3G20AI167405-01S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- **Principal Investigator:** William Paul Duprex
- **Activity code:** G20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $3,329,737
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2022-08-22 → 2025-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10631339

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10631339, Administrative Supplement for Upgrading the University of Pittsburgh Regional Biocontainment Laboratory within The Center for Vaccine Research (3G20AI167405-01S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-08-11 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10631339. Licensed CC0.

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